One driver hurt in I-75 wreck

Two 18-wheelers collided early Thursday morning in Monroe County, sending one driver to the hospital and causing a traffic delay in Interstate 75’s northbound lane.

Officials said one tractor-trailer rear-ended the other about 4:30 a.m. near exit 182.

The first tractor-trailer burst into flames shortly after rear-ending the second truck, but the driver, Azell Thomas, 39, of East Point, managed to get out of the cab in time. He was taken to The Medical Center of Central Georgia. His truck was hauling mattresses.

The second driver, Tom Mango, 25, of Pelham, wasn’t injured. He was hauling frozen food.

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The roads wasn’t cleared until about 8 a.m. because diesel fuel needed to be cleared up by environmental teams.Officials said the case likely will be ruled an accident, but it remains under investigation.